Liverpool are reportedly tussling with Premier League rivals Chelsea for the signing of Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez, according to a new update.
The Reds’ centre-back woes have been well-publicised this season, with Ibrahima Konate’s performances leaving a lot to be desired.
Even Virgil van Dijk hasn’t been immune to criticism, with the Liverpool captain at fault for Sunderland’s goal in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Marc Guehi has continually been mentioned as a leading target for the Reds, so nearly joining them on deadline day in the summer, and it is clear that at least one central defender is needed in 2026, if not more.
According to a report from Bolavip [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are keen on signing £35m-rated Ordonez from Brugge, with the 21-year-old one of the most promising young centre-backs in Europe.
The Reds are believed to have sent scouts to watch him in action, with Chelsea also providing competition for his signature leading into next year.
Ordonez a superb young option for Liverpool
As mentioned, Liverpool must sign a centre-back next summer, and more if Konate or Gomez move on, and Ordonez represents a fantastic option for them.
The Ecuadorian has become such an important player for Brugge at such a young age, making 100 appearances to date, and scout Jacek Kulig described him as “superb” last year, saying:
“Joel Ordonez with another superb performance for Club Brugge this season. Such an impressively complete profile for a CB of his age. No doubt we’ll see him at a top club in one of the big five leagues sooner rather than later.”
At 21, Liverpool would be signing a player in Ordonez who has so many years ahead of him, but that’s not to say that he couldn’t come in as an immediate starter.
Konate is a hit-and-miss player who can be improved upon, not to mention being injury-prone, and a Van Dijk successor also needs to be found.
Ordonez still has plenty of room to improve, but he has time on his side, and he has the potential to develop into a wonderful player. It is easy to see why Liverpool and Chelsea want him.
